<p>Flight Control Systems are often designed in linearization points over a flight envelope and it must be proven to clearance authorities that the system works for different parameter variations and failures all over this envelope. </p><p>In this thesis µ-analysis is tried as a complement for linear analysis in the frequency plane. Using this method stability can be guaranteed for all static parameter combinations modelled and linear criteria such as phase and gain margins and most unstable eigenvalue can be included in the analysis. A way of including bounds on the parameter variations using parameter dependent Lyapunov functions is also tried. </p><p>To perform µ-analysis the system must be described as a Linear Fractional Transformation (LFT). This is a way of reformulating a parameter dependent system description as an interconnection of a nominal linear time invariant system and a structured parameter block. </p><p>A linear and a rational approximation of the system are used to make LFTs. These methods are compared. Four algorithms for calculation of the upper and lower bounds of µ are evaluated. The methods are tried on VEGAS, a SAAB research aircraft model. </p><p>µ-analysis works quite well for linear clearance. The rational approximation LFT gives best results and can be cleared for the criteria mentioned above. A combination of the algorithms is used for best results. When the Lyapunov based method is used the size of the problem grows quite fast and, due to numerical problems, stability can only be guaranteed for a reduced model.</p>

The use of positron emission tomography (PET) for imaging in oncology has grown rapidly in recent years. 2-[18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is the most common tracer of PET, although drawbacks exist. Radiolabeled 1-[11C]-acetate (C-AC) is a simple probe for evaluation of perfusion, anabolism (lipogenesis) and catabolism (oxidative metabolism) in all living tissues. This study explored the potential of AC PET in head and neck cancer, benign and malignant lymph nodes in prostate cancer and normal distribution.  In head and neck cancer, C-AC PET detected more primaries and lymph node metastases than FDG PET. The mean primary tumor volumes delineated by C-AC was 51% larger than that of FDG before radiotherapy (RT). Both FDG and C-AC PET tumor volumes must be carefully validated before used in clinical routine. Baseline tumor clearance rate (kmono) was higher in complete responders (CR) than that in partial responders (PR). kmono tended to correlate inversely with FDG SUV at baseline. Radiosensitive tumors might rely predominantly on oxidative metabolism for their biogenetic needs. kmono increased in PR during RT. The potential reversibility of impaired kmono in radioresistant tumors imply that treatment targeting the intermediary metabolism might improve the outcome. Tumor relative perfusion index (rF) and kmono were coupled in CR throughout the RT, but not in PR. Dynamic C-AC PET provides a new non-invasive method to simultaneously evaluate the tumor oxidative metabolism and perfusion which link the RT response in patients by a single tracer injection. In prostate cancer, elevated C-AC accumulation is common in benign inguinal lymph nodes, probably due to increased lipogenesis rather than lymphatic drainage. CT Hounsfield unit of benign nodes was lower than that of metastases, suggesting that density measurement using CT might improve the specificity of nodal staging of prostate cancer. A novel tracer 2-[18F]-fluoroacetate (F-AC) was synthesized and used for dynamic PET-CT imaging in animals. Compared with C-AC PET-CT, F-AC showed prolonged blood retention, no detectable trapping in myocardium and salivary glands, rapid excretion from liver to bile and urine and de-fluorination resulting in intensive skeletal activity. F-AC does not mimic the normal physiologic path of C-AC and appears to be of little use for assessment of perfusion, intermediary metabolism or lipogenesis.

Biliary excretion is an important elimination route for many drugs and metabolites. For such compounds, it is important to know the extent of excretion and drug exposure in the bile, e.g., for the risk assessment of drug interactions, liver toxicity and the effects of genetic variants. In this thesis, duodenal aspiration of bile was performed in healthy volunteers and complemented with experiments in an in vivo model in pigs to increase the understanding of the intestinal and hepatobiliary disposition of two direct thrombin inhibitors. The compounds investigated, ximelagatran and AZD0837, are both prodrugs that require bioactivation to exert their pharmacological effect. Upon co-administration with erythromycin and ketoconazole, respectively, altered plasma exposure to ximelagatran and AZD0837 and their respective metabolites has been observed. The main objective of this thesis was to characterize the biliary excretion of the compounds, and investigate whether this elimination route explains the observed drug-drug interactions. High plasma-to-bile AUC ratios were observed, in particular for ximelagatran, its active metabolite melagatran, and AR-H067637, the active metabolite of AZD0837. These high ratios indicate the involvement of active transporters in the biliary excretion of the compounds, which is important since transporters constitute possible sites for drug interactions. The effects of erythromycin and ketoconazole on the plasma exposure of the prodrugs and metabolites were confirmed in both the pig and the clinical studies. The changes seen in plasma for ximelagatran and its metabolites were partly explained by reduced biliary clearance. Inhibited CYP3A4 metabolism likely caused the elevated plasma levels of AZD0837, whereas reduced biliary clearance was seen for AR-H067637 suggesting an effect on its excretion into bile. In summary, the studies led to mechanistic insights in the hepatobiliary disposition of ximelagatran and AZD0837, and demonstrate the value of combined clinical and animal studies for the investigation of the biliary drug excretion.

The innate immune protein surfactant protein (SP-) D is a carbohydrate binding protein that was originally isolated from mucosal lung tissues. Recently, studies show that SP-D binds to antibodies, including immunoglobulin M (IgM), which interacts with late apoptotic cells. Here we focus on the interaction between SP-D and IgM as they pertain to late apoptotic cell clearance. We hypothesized that the three-way interaction between IgM, SP-D and late apoptotic cells is functionally applicable to clearing late apoptotic cells from the lungs, thereby reducing lung inflammation. We show that SP-D binds to IgM and that IgM binds to the late apoptotic subclass of dying cells. We demonstrate that IgM and SP-D can both bind to late apoptotic cells in mutually distinct regions while also displaying some regional overlap. We show evidence that during LPS-induced lung inflammation both IgM and SP-D levels are elevated and this corresponds to an augmentation of apoptotic cell clearance. We illustrate that the protein interaction of IgM and SP-D is functionally relevant to apoptotic cell clearance in the lungs by showing that late apoptotic cells coated in IgM and/or SP-D are cleared more efficiently than control cells, by alveolar macrophages in vivo. Our ex vivo studies further show that these cells internalize apoptotic cells by engulfing very small particles released from the dying cells. We then showed that IgM preferentially directs the engulfment of small particles (~1 μm) by macrophages, in an apparent size-specific antibody-dependent particle clearance function. Our data reveals a novel relationship amongst IgM, SP-D, apoptotic cells, and alveolar macrophages that contributes to our understanding of apoptotic cell clearance, which may be used in the future to generate strategies addressing apoptotic cell accumulation or clearance deficiency in disease.

The innate immune protein surfactant protein (SP-) D is a carbohydrate binding protein that was originally isolated from mucosal lung tissues. Recently, studies show that SP-D binds to antibodies, including immunoglobulin M (IgM), which interacts with late apoptotic cells. Here we focus on the interaction between SP-D and IgM as they pertain to late apoptotic cell clearance. We hypothesized that the three-way interaction between IgM, SP-D and late apoptotic cells is functionally applicable to clearing late apoptotic cells from the lungs, thereby reducing lung inflammation. We show that SP-D binds to IgM and that IgM binds to the late apoptotic subclass of dying cells. We demonstrate that IgM and SP-D can both bind to late apoptotic cells in mutually distinct regions while also displaying some regional overlap. We show evidence that during LPS-induced lung inflammation both IgM and SP-D levels are elevated and this corresponds to an augmentation of apoptotic cell clearance. We illustrate that the protein interaction of IgM and SP-D is functionally relevant to apoptotic cell clearance in the lungs by showing that late apoptotic cells coated in IgM and/or SP-D are cleared more efficiently than control cells, by alveolar macrophages in vivo. Our ex vivo studies further show that these cells internalize apoptotic cells by engulfing very small particles released from the dying cells. We then showed that IgM preferentially directs the engulfment of small particles (~1 μm) by macrophages, in an apparent size-specific antibody-dependent particle clearance function. Our data reveals a novel relationship amongst IgM, SP-D, apoptotic cells, and alveolar macrophages that contributes to our understanding of apoptotic cell clearance, which may be used in the future to generate strategies addressing apoptotic cell accumulation or clearance deficiency in disease.

Flight Control Systems are often designed in linearization points over a flight envelope and it must be proven to clearance authorities that the system works for different parameter variations and failures all over this envelope. In this thesis µ-analysis is tried as a complement for linear analysis in the frequency plane. Using this method stability can be guaranteed for all static parameter combinations modelled and linear criteria such as phase and gain margins and most unstable eigenvalue can be included in the analysis. A way of including bounds on the parameter variations using parameter dependent Lyapunov functions is also tried. To perform µ-analysis the system must be described as a Linear Fractional Transformation (LFT). This is a way of reformulating a parameter dependent system description as an interconnection of a nominal linear time invariant system and a structured parameter block. A linear and a rational approximation of the system are used to make LFTs. These methods are compared. Four algorithms for calculation of the upper and lower bounds of µ are evaluated. The methods are tried on VEGAS, a SAAB research aircraft model. µ-analysis works quite well for linear clearance. The rational approximation LFT gives best results and can be cleared for the criteria mentioned above. A combination of the algorithms is used for best results. When the Lyapunov based method is used the size of the problem grows quite fast and, due to numerical problems, stability can only be guaranteed for a reduced model.

Abstract In 2002, Kaohsiung Port has become the fifth largest container world port in world rank, losing to Korea¡¦s Pusan Port the third time and to the Mainland¡¦s Shanghai Port the first. Under the fierce threat of global ports¡¦ competitions, Kaohsiung Port now is also facing the challenges from other new ports along the Mainland¡¦s coastline. Therefore, it might not even keep the fifth in rank if there is no any other managing strategy more effective to confront global ports¡¦ competitions. As a part of the Port, Kaohsiung Customs has the responsibility for helping it on the issues of three links and direct transport, planning free-trade portal zone and fulfilling obligations after entering WTO. Moreover, the Customs can render help to revitalize the Port as vigorous as before. In compliance with the Port¡¦s strategy, the Customs should know: how to use the synergy gained from knowledge management and innovation to simplify the administrative work, how to utilize the newest and most effective enforcement, and how to introduce the newest technology and instrument to reach the demand of Customs modernization¡Xa barrier-free clearance environment¡Xso as to raise the business sectors and the port¡¦s international competitiveness ¡Xall are testing the expertise and wisdom of the Port¡¦s authorities in business strategy. Nominal Group Technique (NGT), applied in a group, an organization, an enterprise, a community or a society, has certain performance of solving unstructured problems which are important, complex, badly communicated with, or controversial. According to general research, using NGT to operate interactive management has the effects such as effective participation of team workers, realizing and identifying an issue, reaching a consensus and conclusion, as well as restructuring recognition from interactive learning. This research proceeded with interviewing local experts, and compiling their opinions those were used not only to verify the research¡¦s assumptions but also to develop a subsequent NGT interactive questionnaire. This questionnaire was to test the interactive NGT participants. With the same questionnaire they were tested twice¡Xbefore and after the interaction. Thus, we can examine the degree of interactive learning satisfaction to verify the achievement of NGT interaction. Therefore, the NGT effects can both be the proof of the theoretical basis and the research discovering, which leads to a conclusion and research suggestions. The concrete achievements of NGT interaction include the big ten preferential strategies and an enhanced structural drawing. The structural drawing is a tangible achievement of the research operated by NGT. Moreover, the research collected and analyzed information through the editorials of domestic major newspapers in order to testify the intensity of which the big ten strategies and the structural drawing were converged on the strategy of ¡§three links and direct transport¡¨. The conclusion points out that it will help Kaohsiung Port strive for becoming a hub of global logistical centers. The complexity of the Customs affairs has certain influence over the development of a port¡¦s competition. Nowadays, the issue of the Customs modernization has become a new trend for every country in the world since the US Congress passed the Customs Modernization Act in 1993. How are the results of the two Customs modernization across the strait? This research collected relevant information to analyze and to compare. In conclusion, we found that the achievement of NGT interaction can be verified by general research. Besides, either by expert-interviewing method or by inviting relevant participants to involve the NGT interaction, the final conclusions have the following suggestions those are utilizing knowledge management and innovation to improve the Customs clearance operations, integrating the information between the harbor & Customs, applying risk management to reduce the Customs interference, launching the direct sea transport, decreasing the operation cost of port, legislating as soon as possible for establishing free-trade portal zone¡Ketc. All above will have the most enforceable effects on the competition and development of Kaohsiung Port. The strategy of ¡§Cross-strait three links and direct transport¡¨ will have the most effect on Kaohsiung Port that becomes the hub of global logistic centers.

在我國入出境的旅客，大多數是經由桃園國際機場入出境，因此桃園國際機場可說是我國國家的大門，國際機場予人的觀感就是對於我國的第一印象。當旅客抵達國際機場時，首先會接觸到的即是海關通關作業，因此如果海關通關作業的服務品質良好，不但可提高旅客滿意度，更有助於提升我國在國際中的形象。 本研究參考Parasuraman,Zeithaml＆Berry（1988a，1991）所發展之服務品質量表，根據台北關稅局的海關通服務特性加以修正，設計出服務品質有關的26個題項，另參考Olorunniwo, Hsu＆Udo（2006）與Ruyter, Wetzels＆Birgelen（1999）對顧客服務滿意度的定義，並依此定義設計旅客滿意度量表的5個題項，衡量海關通關服務品質與旅客滿意度，運用SPSS統計套裝軟體，對回收之有效問卷進行統計分析，驗證本研究所探討之假設。本研究發現如下： 一、入境旅客所期望的海關通關服務水準與其實際所感受到的服務水準有顯著差異；而出境旅客所期望的海關通關服務水準與其實際所感受到的服務水準除有形性構面無顯著差異外，其餘反應性、可靠性、保證性與關懷性等四個構面皆有顯著差異。 二、入出境旅客所期望的海關通關服務水準與海關人員對旅客所期望的服務水準認知皆在關懷性構面有顯著差異，其餘構面皆無顯著差異。 三、入境旅客實際所感受到的海關通關服務水準與旅客的整體滿意度有顯著相關；而出境旅客實際所感受到的海關通關服務水準與旅客的整體滿意度在保證性與關懷性構面有顯著相關。 四、不同屬性入境旅客對其實際所感受到的海關通關服務水準在不同性別與不同年齡有顯著差異；不同屬性出境旅客對其實際所感受到的海關通關服務水準在不同職業、不同國別與不同月收入有顯著差異。 五、不同屬性入境旅客對其所期望的海關通關服務水準在不同國別有顯著差異；不同屬性出境旅客對其所期望的海關通關服務水準無顯著差異。 六、不同屬性入境旅客對旅客的整體滿意度在不同性別、不同年齡、不同職業、不同月收入、不同旅遊目的與不同使用頻率有顯著差異；不同屬性出境旅客對旅客的整體滿意度在不同國別、不同月收入與不同使用頻率有顯著差異。 七、不同屬性的海關人員對旅客所期望的海關通關服務水準認知無顯著差異。 本研究依據研究發現提出建議，以供海關機關與後續研究之參考。 / The passenger entering or leave the country in our country, the great majority enter or leave the country via Taoyuan International Airport, so Taoyuan International Airport can be regarded as the gate of the country of our country, the impressions that the International airport gives to people are the first impression on our country. When the passenger reaches the International airport, it can touches to be customs clear customs the homework at first, so if the customs clearance of the service quality of the homework is good, not only can improve passenger's satisfaction, contribute to improving the image in world of our country even more. consults Parasuraman, Zeithaml& Berry (1988a,1991)Service product quality forms developed, revise according to the open service characteristic of the customs of Taibei Bureau Veritas, is it serve quality relevant 26 question item to design, consult Olorunniwo, Hsu& Udo separately (2006) And Ruyter, Wetzels& Birgelen (1999) Definition of the satisfaction to customer service, and definition design passenger to be satisfied to measure 5 question item of form according to this, weigh customs is it serve quality and passenger satisfaction to clear customs, use SPSS to count the suit software, carry on statistical analysis to the effective questionnaire retrieving, verify the assumption that this research institute probes into. Originally discover as follows: 1. Inbound passenger has significant difference between the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s expectation and the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s actual perception, however, outbound passenger only has not significant difference in Tangibles between the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s expectation and the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s actual perception, the other four dimensions, responsiveness, reliability, assurance and empathy all have significant difference. 2. Inbound passengers and outbound passengers both have significant difference between the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s expectation and the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s expectation by the customs officer’s sense in empathy dimension, the other dimensions all have not significant difference. 3. Inbound passenger has significant relationship between the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s actual perception and the entire passenger’s satisfaction, however, outbound passenger has significant relationship between the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s actual perception and the entire passenger’s satisfaction in assurance and empathy. 4. Different attribute inbound passenger to the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s actual perception have significant difference in the different sex and different age. Different attribute outbound passengers to the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s actual perception have significant difference in the different month income, different occupation and different country. 5. Different attribute inbound passenger to the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s expectation have significant difference in the different country. Different attribute outbound passengers to the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s expectation have not significant difference. 6. Different attribute inbound passenger to the entire passenger’s satisfaction have significant difference in the different sexual, different age, different occupation, different monthly income, different purpose of travel and different using times. Different attribute outbound passenger to the entire passenger’s satisfaction have significant difference in the different country, different monthly income and different using times. 7. Different attribute customs to the customs clearance service level of the passenger’s expectation by the customs officer’s sense have not significant. To conclude, this study has some suggestions by empirical finding, customs organization and future study may referable.

Because the operational characteristics of signalized intersections near highway-railroad grade crossings (IHRGCs) are different from those of signalized intersections located elsewhere in the traffic system, standard operational strategies do not apply. This is because safe operation at IHRGCs takes precedence over all other objectives. Because the prime objective of the current preemption methods is to clear the crossing, secondary objectives such as safe pedestrian crossing time and minimized delay are given less consideration or ignored completely. Consequently, state-of-the-practice strategies may cause serious pedestrian safety and efficiency problems at IHRGCs. Therefore, there is a definite need for research on how to improve traffic signal preemption strategies. An important element of preemption strategy is detection of trains and prediction of arrival times. However, because of the limitations of current detection technologies, estimation algorithms, etc., there is a wide range in these warning times. In this dissertation, a new train-arrival prediction algorithm was developed using detection equipment located farther upstream from the HRGC. The state-of-the-art transition preemption strategy (TPS) was developed to ensure that as preemption is initiated by approaching trains, the signal display does not change in a manner that endangers either pedestrians or drivers. However, because it does not account for the variability of predicted train arrival times, there is still a possibility of failure. Therefore, a new transition preemption algorithm that is specifically designed to improve intersection performance while maintaining or improving the current level of safety is developed. This dissertation developed a preemption strategy (TPS3) that uses better train arrival time estimates to improve the safety and efficiency of IHRGCs. The approach was simulated on a test bed in College Station, Texas, and it was concluded that the new TPS improves the safety and operation of intersections near highway-railroad grade crossings.

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